The Guardian says Pep Guardiola's decision to join Bayern Munich has effectively thrust Mourinho into a stronger negotiating position should he end up leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Though Chelsea are expected to sound out the Portuguese as they seek a permanent successor to Roberto Di Matteo, they could find themselves competing for his signature with money-flushed Paris Saint-Germain and possibly even Manchester City, for all that the Premier League champions retain faith at present in Roberto Mancini.

For Chelsea, the credentials of Michael Laudrup at Swansea, Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund's Jürgen Klopp will also be assessed.